The implementation of Virtual reality idea into the curriculum is hard to believe for most of the teachers of different countries. They feel that this technology is very expensive, impractical and ancient that could not be fitted in the typical class period. However, from several years, there is a rapid advancement in the technologies which results in potential, advanced and affordable hardware and software. With the increase in advancement, there are multiple applications of virtual reality for the educators that are available free of cost. It allows the students to implement this technology even in the classroom learning or modern studies. Under mentioned are some uses of this technology which could largely benefit the students.
1. Understand the world – Virtual reality is considered as the most immersive technology in the basics of science teaching including different origins of natural phenomena and the structure of life. Students can learn the concept of virtual reality from the visual representations of data, simulations and interactive games that are used from the building blocks of life to the workings of solar system. Applications like Labster make use of the lab simulations that allows the participation of the students in independent investigations of subject material. In the science education, it is considered as the most affordable and effective approach that also offers the justification of cost of VR technology as virtual equipment.
2. Visualize mathematics – The mathematical knowledge is considered as the fundamental method to solve the problems of real world. In the day-to-day lives, students do not consider it as a practical application. Virtual reality helps in bridging the gap by the presentation of math problems with immersive visualization. For instance, it is the biggest obstacle for the young generation learners to understand the basics of algebra in mathematics. This subject is of abstract nature and it does not allow the students to make progress in it. However, by using VR technology, the algebraic problems can be represented through virtual objects.
Also, various students are not able to visualize their problems through structural abilities like trigonometry or geometry learners. Through VR activities and tutorials, they are highly benefitted, as the environment of this technology is three-dimensional that allows the learners to have their interactions with various mathematical problems or development. These type of experiences helps in providing mental abilities to the students so that they can understand future problems that could effectively improve the spatial abilities. VR allows the students to think logically.
3. Take virtual field trips - A virtual field trip basically consists of a guided tour made of distant places. It allows various options including unique geographical landmarks and exploring distant lands and cultures. Even after the visit to the same location, the effective instructions are paired with acquiring several benefits for the students. Virtual field trips offers great benefits by generating lots of enthusiasm among students. It helps in the creation of experiential learning with the regular occurrence of bit-sized moments. These field trips does not change the instructions, either it helps in the creation of impressionable learning moments. It also generates the great deal of enthusiasm that encourages more learners or students to invest in their own learning.
4. Take a trip back in history – The VR technology helps in assembling various events from the past, same as, it does for transporting users across the world. For instance in a classroom, if there is a lesson that teaches about the First World War. So, it is important for the students to know everything about it, which is difficult in regular classroom teaching. There are applications like Trench Experience that helps in saving time, money and effort by allowing users to have the deep look into the life of people who fought in the war. Moreover, the virtual tours of museums, historical exhibits or other works of art can also be taken by the use of this technology.
5. Use creative expression and assessment – For the average student; it is the boring task to perform the poster presentation assignment. The technology of virtual reality opens up different platforms for creative expressions, as learners need different methods and processes to express themselves. Google created VR tools like Blocks and Tilt brush opens up different doors for the students that are artistically inclined. These creations help in the demonstrations of learning and expressing various different and unique ideas.
Also, there are teachers that are looking for having more structured experience and creating presentations by making use of certain tools. Various applications like CoSpace allow the users to create the world of three dimensions by making them popular with custom models or guide peers. To demonstrate what the students have learned or generated in constructive class discussions, it is considered as the most exciting way.
6. A new way to explore literature – Teachers experience different and unique ways to present particular literature works along with the related topics of all grade students by using VR technology. From a fictional work, virtual environments helps in shaping and recreating important scenes along with providing historical context to the learners and recreation of interactive gaming experience. In these examples, the deep discussions about the class material help in launching the VR technology. It makes use of certain creative tools that helps in the creation of presentations and demonstrations of their understanding. The reading accountability platforms are used in the collaborations like Whooo’s reading. Also, the students can reach to a deeper understanding of broad range of implications of their literature work.
7. Virtual collaboration – In the K-12 education, collaboration is considered as an absolute necessity. It allows the learners and the educators to exchange their information, build a common understanding, interpret the subject materials along with exploring new ideas. There are multiple tools that are available for the collaboration of VR platforms for students that allows the assistance in several efforts.
Also, collaboration and VR conferencing have various benefits as it allow the users to visualize the data along with expressing the ideas in a completely different way. Applications on such platforms help the users in conveying the facial expressions, body language and various different non-verbal cues through different avatars. This approach has become the most powerful tools for the purpose of collaboration due to the sophistication of this technology.
8. Improve distance learning – For remote students, it has opened up many ways. Due to lack of personal contact, being an online student is very difficult with instructors and peers. It also makes use of several conferencing applications of VR that helps in the delivery of various interactions and lectures made in a virtual environment. Also, the learners of VR helps in receiving quick and immediate feedback collaborate with others in real time along with the development of interpersonal skills. Several institutions of higher education are allowing the realization of VR potential by offering the full course of using this technology. The utilization of VR in k-12 classrooms are effectively preparing the students for remote learning opportunities for future.
Conclusion
The technology of virtual reality offers various practical applications in k-12 classrooms. It offers a spark of inspiration among students of different levels. The introduction of new software and hardware applications are expanding and enhancing these horizons by the wide adaptability of VR technology.
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